Sexually Transmitted Infections
Sexually transmitted infections (STI) rank among the top five conditions for which sexually active adults seek health care in the developing countries. As per the community based STI/RTI prevalence study (2003), over 6% of the adult population in India suffer from one or the other STI/RTI episode annually. There is enough evidence to suggest that early diagnosis, treatment and management of STI/RTI including inducing behaviour change through education amongst the target groups will reduce transmission of STI/RTI and HIV (Lancet 1995; 346:530-536).

Failure to diagnose and treat STI/RTI at an early stage in women of reproductive age group may result in serious complications and consequences, including infertility, fetal wastage, ectopic pregnancy, ano-genital cancer and premature death, as well as neonatal and infant infections. Effective control of STI/RTI is a strong and most cost effective strategy for reducing/preventing transmission of HIV.  This is because both sexually transmitted Infections and HIV have same routes of transmission and occur in individuals practicing similar type of high risk behaviour i.e. unsafe sexual intercourse.  Also, the presence of a STI/RTI in the sexual partner increases the risk of acquisition of HIV from an infected partner by 8-10 fold. The presence of HIV affects the clinical presentation, course, diagnosis as well as management of STI/RTI.

NACO is duly addressing the issues of STI/RTI morbidity and NACP III envisages coverage of about 15 million STI/RTI episodes annually during the programme. NACO through its network of 938 designated STI/RTI clinics (situated at government health care facilities at district level and above) is providing free standardized STI/RTI services. These clinics have been branded as “Suraksha Clinics” and provide sexual & reproductive health services. Standardized training to the medical and paramedical personnel based on syndromic case management approach is being provided and counselling services from trained counselors are made available at these clinics. Colour coded syndromic drug kits and RPR test kits are being centrally procured and supplied to these clinics. Laboratory support for STI/RTI has been strengthened through a network of seven regional STI centres.

STI/RTI services are also being expanded though effective integration with the RCH-II programme, NACO and RCH division have jointly drafted technical guidelines on management of STI/RTI so as to ensure uniformity of service delivery across all facilities. Private sector has been meaningfully involved through identification of preferred private providers to give services to the high risk group population served through TI projects.

Facilities and Activitiesunder STI/RTI division JKSACS
There are 6(six) designated STI/RTI clinics functioning under JKSACS.

One trained STI Counsellor is posted at each of the designated STI clinic for counselling on:
Ø  STI/RTI and HIV – transmission and prevention
Ø  Treatment compliance and follow up
Ø  Partner treatment
Ø  Condom promotion
                        STI cases are given treatment as per NACO norms – “Syndromic Case Management” with color coded kits supplied by NACO at free of cost.  All the STI/RTI attendees are screened for Syphilis and HIV at ICTC.  All Antenatal mothers are screened for Syphilis and HIV along with other basic investigations done for them.  All HRGs are screened for STI, and Syphilis and HIV.    
We received also tests from DHS Jammu which are conducted at STD clinics labs.
Total tests conducted from 1-4-2014 to 31-12-2015.
Total  VDRL test = 20951
Positive = 28